What do you do if your social media knowledge is outdated?

Never think you'll catch up! That's the first thing to understand about social media. It is constantly evolving and changing direction - not just via the platforms themselves, but by the people using them. I recommend finding 1-3 experts in the platforms you want to learn from. Make sure they are authentic and trusted and possibly even located in the country you are - to get a more 'local' perspective. Listen and learn from them, whether paid or free content. The other place to go is the platforms themselves - they will keep you up to date with changes and provide recommendations for further learning and development.

The truth is your social media knowledge is outdated nearly every week. The platforms change so frequently that best practice is never the same as yesterday. Through on going and continuous experimenting and trailing tactics is the best way to know what works. Also remembering, one brands tactic might not work for yours. Audiences, customers and fans are all unique to each business, brand and product.

Social media is in a constant state of flux and if you are focused on connection and communication (with your target audience) your tactics should be too. A couple of basics that are not outdated: 1. Create content that is engaging for the audience, not just promotional 2. Don't post the same content on all platforms 3. Be responsive, to fan comments, and fan suggestions.

If your social media knowledge is outdated, start by refreshing the basics. Revisit major platforms, understand user demographics, and grasp content creation essentials. Learn about algorithm changes and new features. Engage with updated resources, courses, and communities to stay current. Experiment with new strategies, tools, and trends to adapt and thrive in the evolving social landscape.

Absolutely! Picture it like revisiting your favorite recipe book before cooking up a storm – refreshing your social media savvy starts with the basics. Dive into the core functions and user demographics of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Then, sprinkle in some creativity by mastering engaging content and visual aesthetics. Don't forget social etiquette! Lastly, stay updated on platform changes. It's about laying a solid foundation for social media success.

When social media platforms add new features, they often like to show them off. It’s not uncommon for profiles to receive better placement for using a new feature properly. See what the platform has to say about it in their help articles or news release. Observe how some key influencers you respect start to use the new feature. With regard to new platforms, do your due diligence. There has been an increase of privacy concerns with certain emerging platforms. Also, not every new platform is ready for brands right away. If the platform doesn’t have an ad center yet, you’re likely an early adopter. Big risk could mean big reward… it depends on a lot of factors including your target audience, brand goals, and capacity to invest.

Dedicate time regularly to learn about the latest trends, features, and best practices in social media. This can be through online courses, webinars, and workshops offered by credible institutions or industry leaders.

In the realm of social media, staying current is key. Start by reacquainting yourself with the fundamentals, then swiftly immerse in contemporary trends. Explore popular formats like stories and live streams, and keep tabs on emerging platforms. This ensures your content remains relevant and equips you to anticipate future shifts in the dynamic social media sphere.

To refresh outdated social media knowledge, dive into recent trends by exploring popular platforms, follow influencers in the social media space, and read up on the latest industry reports and articles. Engaging with new content and communities can quickly bring you up to speed.

I suggest noting business who are doing well on social media. These should be similar brands/products that you aspire too. Track what's working for them, what have they done that you LOVED. While replicating can be frowned upon, ensuring you put your own flair and branding on your approach to lookalike content is vital.

By actively participating in discussions, sharing insights, and asking questions, you can gain valuable perspectives from others and build your personality and brand within the industry. These communities offer a supportive environment where you can find encouragement, advice, and collaboration opportunities as you progress, to help to expand your knowledge and expertise.

To update outdated social media knowledge, engage with online communities of professionals. Participate in forums, groups, or networks to discuss latest tools, strategies, and news. Active involvement helps gain insights, stay updated, and find support in refining skills.

Think of it as joining a bustling marketplace where ideas flow freely – engaging with a community of social media professionals is like adding rocket fuel to your knowledge engine. Dive into online forums, groups, or professional networks where discussions on the latest tools, strategies, and best practices are in full swing. By actively participating, you'll not only gain invaluable insights from peers but also stay ahead of the curve with up-to-the-minute industry news. Plus, you'll find a supportive network cheering you on as you level up your social media game. It's not just about staying informed; it's about thriving in a dynamic ecosystem of like-minded professionals.

Having access to a community of peers in your field is super helpful for staying current. There are many professionals who are building their professional brand by sharing helpful content in groups. Also, try to join a general social media community outside of any industry-specific ones you may be a part of. Some industries can be later adopters than others, so picking up on trends early, and running it through your industry filter (industry specific regulations, codes, laws) can help set you apart.

To update outdated social media knowledge, attend workshops. These sessions offer insights into new platform features, content strategies, and data analysis techniques. They provide practical, applicable knowledge and networking opportunities, helping you stay relevant in the ever-evolving social media landscape.

I personally wouldn't follow this advice. Workshops can be outdated and often are a waste of money. You will learn more from experimenting and even podcasts like PR Daily have fantastic advice!

Social media changes and evolves rapidly! Not only do you need to keep up with trends, but also with how the platforms change, their algorithms, and the new features they offer. Many companies, that perhaps you might even work with (social media listening tools, planning, creation tools) offer various webinars that are often even free to attend. Plus, you get to ask all your questions to an expert directly! It's free knowledge for you to further develop your skills - leverage it!

Here I agree with Madison Porter: ?I personally wouldn't follow this advice. Workshops can be outdated and often are a waste of money. ”

Some content will perform well, and some won’t. Monitoring will help you to identify patterns in your high-performing content. When looking at your high-performing content, look at factors like timing, tone, visuals, and keywords/hashtags. A lot of companies will have a brand guide, so sometimes it may be a balance of the “art” of making good content within the context of your guide, paired with the “science” of social media channel best practices and content evaluation.

To stay current in social media, consistent practice is key. Actively manage accounts, experiment with content and engagement tactics, and analyze results to adapt strategies. Regular practice not only reinforces updated knowledge but also boosts confidence in applying new skills effectively.

Think of it as hands-on learning in the school of social media. Take charge of a personal or professional account to put your knowledge into action. Experiment with content types, posting schedules, and engagement strategies. Analyze the results and refine your approach accordingly. With each practice session, you'll not only solidify your skills but also gain the confidence to navigate the ever-changing social media landscape. It's about turning theory into tangible expertise through real-world application.

Many years ago I delayed getting on Facebook, this delay hurt many relationships especially because I was a representative in student housing government at the University of Oklahoma. I vowed to try not to make the same mistake twice; in the Summer 2023, I knew and prepared for Threads arrival when I was living in Korea. I managed to use a VPN to create the account and was one of the first two million users to join Threads. Find out Threads may link to Mastodon and created a Mastodon account. Read an article about Bluesky and then joined Bluesky; did the same thing for Parler, parler is French for talk. Staying informed has benefited me not hurt me.

Follow reputable industry blogs, subscribe to podcasts featuring expert interviews and case studies, and attend webinars or online courses offered by recognized professionals or organizations. Engage with thought leaders and influencers on social media platforms to stay informed about emerging trends and discussions within the industry.

In my experience, most small business leaders are stuck because they don't have the funding to hire an experienced marketing, pr, advertising firm and they haven't learned the skills necessary to "DIY" it. So, they hire someone entry level or a family member and never get the traction they need... Today's tools and talent are equip to help us small business founders change that game. Inside our companies, we leverage skilled workers from all the world to move faster with higher quality... It's been a game changer for us.

I think more people should let their social media pages get a little stale considering how much of a person's life gets consumed by it, the information surrendered for the privilege, and how important appearing to be an expert vs. becoming one with everyone suddenly wanting to be influencers and coaches. It has its place, but there is no substitute for human to human relationships. You learn a lot about authenticity, consequences, respect, cooperation, and navigating complex social dynamics that you just can't learn online. I also understand we have a generation in the work force raised on social platforms and to them this is a part of life, but it's not the end of the world if a profile goes stale because you were busy living.

Reality check: your social media knowledge is and will always be outdated. We live in a world where what's new today will be old news tomorrow. My advice: understand the fundamentals of what makes social media tick and wake up every day with a fresh set of eyes and ideas.

Honestly the best way to do this is to dive in and spend some time on each platform, experiment, post and learn. Spend time not as a consumer consuming content but as a creator looking to serve the audiences. That way you can notice the trends, best practices, tone and format thats working for each platform. But the truth social media is changing on a daily basis and its algorithms are changing too so the only way to keep up is to spend atleast a little time on it as often as possible.

If your social media knowledge is outdated, take proactive steps to update it. Dedicate time to research the latest trends, algorithms, and platform updates. Enroll in online courses, attend workshops, or join webinars to acquire new skills. Network with industry peers, attend conferences, and engage in online communities to exchange insights. Experiment with new features, formats, and strategies on social media platforms to gain hands-on experience. Follow thought leaders and influencers in the social media space to stay informed and learn from their expertise. By continuously updating your knowledge, you'll be better equipped to manage and optimize your social media campaigns effectively.